Japanese two-way star Shohei Otani eyes MLB move for 2018

Right-hander Shohei Otani, the first player to be named to the Japan League's Best Nine team as a pitcher and hitter, said Monday that he wants to give Major League Baseball a shot as soon as the 2018 season, the Japan Times reported.

Otani, 22, re-signed Monday with the Nippon Ham Fighters for $2.37 million for 2017 but said he told team officials that he wants to head to North America the following season.

He is expected to be a sought-after player. His fastball was clocked at a Pacific League-record 102.5 mph, and he recorded 10 victories in 2016 while also batting .322 with 22 home runs to earn league MVP honors.

"I know that the club will respect my will whenever I decide I want to go. It is pleasing to get that support and I'm thankful for it," Otani said. "There are no clear criteria (for when to move). I could have that desire to move next year, and we just talked about how things will go in those moments. First I will give 100 percent for the Fighters next year to be Japan's best again. I'll put my soul into it."

Otani isn't eligible to be a free agent until after the 2021 season, so he'll need the Fighters' approval to negotiate with any MLB team. According to Fox Sports, the Fighters plan to post Otani after this season, but because he is younger than 25, he would be subject to the international bonus pool under the new MLB collective bargaining agreement. That could significantly limit how much he could sign for if the parties don't find an alternate solution.

MLB, union would need to modify CBA for Otani to come as free agent. CBA overrides new posting system MLB must negotiate with Japanese.